Important note: This Wiki page is edited by participants of the EOWG. It does not necessarily represent consensus and it may have incorrect information or information that is not supported by other Working Group participants, WAI, or W3C. It may also have some very useful information.

Important Note: For this draft we have some tool-specific guidance. However, there are potential issues with vendor-neutraility and we might need to address this a different way — for example, moving tool-specific guidance to WebPlatform Docs or the WAI-Engage wiki where people can easily add other tools.

Introduction

EOWG Comments on the Introduction

editor's discretion:section tools.First sentence: "Most of these checks you can do with any browser, that is, you do not need to download anything."Are the words in the right order in this sentence or should it be: "You can do most of these checks with any browser, that is, you do not need to download anything"? {Sylvie}

Page title

EOWG Notes on Page Title

[done] the shortcut with the WAT toolbar is no direct one: You first have to press ctrl+alt+6, then press down arrow key once or type the first menu letter, maybe H for the English version of the toolbar? {Sylvie} [Thanks, Sylvie! I added it. {Shawn}]

The text says: "The first thing screen readers say when the user goes to a different web page is the page title. Page titles are important for orientation — to help users know where they are and move between open pages."Would it be useful to have a sound clip of the screen reader going through page titles? Low priority, but maybe neat for people who don't know screen readers? {Shawn}

The text says: "Most browsers have a window title bar by default, except Chrome and IE versions 9 and later. In those browsers, and most others, you can see the full page title by hovering over the tab".

Suggested text: "Many browsers have a window title bar and tabs, whereas others, such as Chrome and IE versions 9 and above, use tabs only to display the page title. For browsers with tabs only hover over the tab to view the full page title" {Vicki}.

Headings

EOWG Notes on Headings

heading h4: "To try checking headings in BAD" There seems to be one or two words too much:"Follow the one of the instructions under "To check headings outline" above"Suggestion: "Follow one of the instructions under "To check headings outline" above" {Sylvie}

comment {name}

Color contrast

Zoom and text size

People with mild to moderate visual impairments may need to enlarge content in order to read it, or read it without straining. This simple requirement is mostly achieved by the functionality of the browser and ensuring that the page design supports that functionality.

Most browsers offer two ways of enlarging content: page zoom and text resize. Page zoom works by scaling up the page content, so that text, images, and buttons are all increased or decreased in size, and the integrity of the layout is maintained. Text resize only affects text, although implementation techniques can be used to also change the widths and heights of containers, margins, padding, and other aspects of the design.

Not all browsers offer both choices, and some browsers will not resize text if it has been set using fixed units such as pixels.

In browsers that support zoom, increase zoom level to 200% or maximum zoom if smaller than 200%

In browsers that support text resizing, increase text size to 200% or maximum size if smaller than 200%

What to do

For each browser to be tested:

Set the screen window to full width

Open your preferred browsers. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Opera all offer zoom as a function of View or Function menus, or as a keyboard shortcut (usually, Control +, or for Mac Command +).

In browsers that support page zoom, enable this option and use the appropriate control to increase zoom level to 200% or maximum zoom.

In browsers that support text resizing, enable this option and use the appropriate control to increase text size to 200% or maximum size.

What you will see

For page zoom layout should remain approximately the same for fixed width designs, and will reflow in the same way as resizing the window would at small sizes.

For text resize most aspects of the design will not change and layout will probably not increase in size. Content will reflow appropriately within the same available space as text increases in size.

What to check for

Text should increase in size in both cases, addionally with page zoom all elements on the page should increase in size.

No content should overlap.

All controls must be clickable.

Note

Some browsers can expand the text beyond 200% - this is not covered by the resize requirement as it is recognised that this will cause some of the failures described. It is also accepted that some horizontal scrolling may be necessary but see also 1.4.8 which is a AAA requirement.
Users with more severe visual impairments who need larger text are likely to use screen magnifiers to increase text size above 200%.

link to {BAD example} No specific BAD examples – some reference to Text as image in relation to the phone number, and column width.Question for Shadi or others: Are there any BAD pages that break with text or page zoom?

EOWG notes on zoom and enlarge

[done - 1 Feb agreed to include it] We previously thought we wouldn't include this in the easy checks. One of the issues was conflicting perspectives in forums and critiques that 200% is too hard to meet. Ian has re-drafted this section.
Please comment on reasons to include it or not. Feel free to edit the main text as well.

I would include this as it's well explained and sounds simple :) Often, this is a check which is quite difficult to understand but as it's explained quite clearly here, I would include it. One comment: at the end of the first section (just before "What to do"), there are two bullet points on the browsers and zooming. Shouldn't this be removed and left (as currently duplicated) in the "What to do" section? {Vicki}

Keyboard access, labels, content order, visual focus

Many people do not use the mouse and rely on the keyboard to interact with the Web. This requires keyboard access to all functionality, including links, form controls, input, and other user interface components. While screen reader users rely on the keyboard, they are not the only ones. In addition, sighted users with mobility impairments may rely on the keyboard or have assistive technologies that are controlled through keyboard actions. Therefore, key components of effective keyboard access include visible focus indication and a logical tab order. @@ need to explain 'visible focus indicator' and 'logical tab order' - we can't just use these phrases and expect folk to understand {Andrew}

What To Do

Click in the address bar, then put your mouse aside and don't use it.

Press the 'tab' key to move around the page. @@ Alternative: Press the 'tab' key to move through the interactive elements on the page. {Andrew}

Use the keyboard to set the focus to all focusable elements on the page. @@ Huh?? What does this mean in comparison to previous bullet? {Andrew}

What To Look For

Can you tab to all the elements, including links, form fields, buttons, and media player controls? Are there any actions you can't get to (e.g., if they are only available on mouse hover or click)?

Does the tab order follow the logical reading order, top to bottom, left to right in sequence?

Does the focus get stuck anywhere - that is, you can tab into a control but not out? (called a "keyboard trap")?

Does the order that items get focus make sense to sighted users? (e.g., you don't jump around the page out of order logically) @@ Covered in point 2? {Andrew}

Can you tab right through to the bottom of the page and then resume again from the top? (e.g. you don't get stuck anywhere and can't move on)

If there is a drop-down box (for example, for navigating to a different page): If you tab into the drop-down box, can you use the down/up arrow keys to move through the options, and @@use 'tab' to the following item@@? (Make sure it doesn't automatically select the first item.)

Visually examine progress through elements and verify that the focus indicator is clearly visible (i.e. you can see where you've 'tabbed' to). @@ swap bracket for phrase before to reduce jargon? {Andrew}

Common failures occur when the default focus indicator is turned off in CSS or when the element is styled with borders that occlude the focus indicator.

Verify that any visual changes that occur with mouse hover also are triggered with keyboard focus

Notes

Multimedia (video, audio) alternatives

[Updated 7 February]

Check multimedia elements to ensure that visual and audio content includes equivalent alternatives and that the media player is fully accessible.

What to do

These steps will give you a quick and easy first look. They will identify that alternatives for media content have been considered and attempted. A more comprehensive testing process will be needed to verify the quality of the alternatives provided.

Follow the steps for keyboard access to ensure that the media player controls are labeled and operable by all users.

Play a short piece of the audio content

Play a short segment of the video content

Toggle closed captions on (if available) {@@ need some guidance on how to do this?}

Toggle audio description on (if available) {@@ need some guidance on how to do this?}

If no captions or audio description options are provided, check page for transcript or link to transcript

What to look for

Captions

Are captions provided?

Are they synchronized to the spoken content? {@@ not sure this is necessary for easy check?}

Has important audio content other than dialogue been included? (music, relevant ambient sounds, etc) {@@ need to say more and maybe give examples, or is that beyond easy check?}

Audio Description

{@@ think most people have no idea what this is and we need a brief explanation? Andrew: agree}

Is an audio description track provided? {@@ could be a separate file, not a track}

Transcript

If captions and audio descriptions are not provided, look for a link to a text-based script containing dialogue and other audio content and description of video needed for understanding.

Check for spelling and accuracy. {@@ I think spelling and accuracy is beyond quick check}

Note: Some aspects will be integrated with keyboard access, visual focus, content order.

Forms are everywhere on the web and successful user interaction relies on clear, understandable, and accessible form controls. Several principles of accessibility should be kept in mind when testing forms. Labels for form controls, input, and other user interface components must be provided. Many people do not use the mouse and rely on the keyboard to interact with the Web. This requires visible keyboard access to all functionality, including form controls. Forms may be confusing or difficult to use for many people, and, as a result, they may be more likely to make mistakes. Clear recovery mechanisms must be provided.

Forms - simplified

[Edited by Suzette, is this sufficiently simplified?]

Note: Some aspects of Forms will be integrated with keyboard access, visual focus, content order. {SK - Also have removed references to colour coding and graphics/non text content and CAPTCHA.}

Forms are everywhere on the web and successful user interaction relies on clear, understandable, and accessible form controls. Forms are complex and need in depth assessment.

Some critical elements which can affect screen reader users are much easier to detect using an automatic tool to check the HTML and CSS, or as a user trial with an experienced screen reader user.

The following visual checks can identify some common problems which are particularly important when testing forms.

{There 10 Success criteria references are included to help editorial choices – is this too many? SK}

Labels for form controls, input, and other user interface components must be provided. (Labels and Instructions 3.3.2 A)

Keyboard access for people who do not use the mouse and rely on the keyboard to interact with the Web. This requires visible keyboard access to all functionality, including form controls. (Keyboard 2.1.1 A, No keyboard trap 2.1.2 A, Focus visible 2.4.7 AA)

Information needs to be in a logical order which is followed when tabbing through the input fields. (Meaningful sequence 1.3.2 A, Focus order 2.4.3 A)

Error correction: Forms may be confusing or difficult to use for many people, and, as a result, they may need more time and be more likely to make mistakes. Clear recovery mechanisms must be provided. (Error identification 3.3.1 A, Error suggestion 3.3.3.AA, Error prevention (legal, financial, data) 3.3.4 AA. Timing 2.2.1 A)

Are there any forms

Check through the web pages to look for examples of forms.

What to look for:

Forms include registration forms, contact forms, booking and purchase details which include text entry fields, radio buttons, dropdown boxes and submit buttons and also single text entry boxes such as login or search box.

Visually examine the instructions for the form and input fields

Check over each form.

What to look for:

Are there text instructions at the beginning of the form including if any elements are essential?

Are there text labels (before/after?) the input fields that describe what to do and if any elements are essential

{Exclude? If required fields are indicated by use of color cues, ensure that additional, alternative methods are also used – Use of colour 1.4.1 A)

Keyboard access

Use the Tab key to move through form controls, text boxes, radio buttons, drop down box and submit button. (Use shift tab to go back). Use the cursor (arrow) keys to access selection box content.

{SK: recommend refering to Keyboard access (above) and delete the rest of this section}

What to look for:

Is the focus visible on all form controls, including inputs, submit mechanisms, and check boxes and radio buttons?

If the form control is a check box or radio button, ensure that focus indication includes form label as well as the actual control (SK –can you do this visually?)

If the form control is a select box, ensure that arrow keys can move focus between select options and that selection is made by user action and not by default focus. (SK – can you do the second part of this visually?)

Logical sequence

Compare the sequence of information presented visually with the tab through order.

Use the keyboard to enter data into the text field.

Ensure that focus does not automatically advance to the next field, but requires user input to advance (SK – is this easy or advanced, what success criteria?)

When erroneous data is entered and form submitted:

Ensure that error message is clear and specific about the nature of the error and the field in which it was made

Ensure that focus moves to the error message

Ensure that guidance is provided to help user understand and fix the error.

{SK: recommend referring to Keyboard access (above) but would suggest keeping this practical suggestion to try filling in the form, especially with correct and incorrect information that will trigger error messages}

References

Several Accessibility Principles are relevant to the accessibility of forms, including these:

Notes

[can be internal notes for now or maybe will be included in final doc]

...

Is it possible to have a 'first glance' option to identify potential trouble spots and very common problems, which can then be examined in more depth? {Suzette}

I have noticed some developers having trouble with single fields such as search boxes or login details, or simple little contact forms - perhaps we could expand the opening description to suggest looking for these. It is not just dedicated forms such as membership details, job applications, tax returns, travel booking and shopping etc.{Suzette}

Comments 2012-Nov-30

Shawn: Maybe, a couple of things are easy, some are complex. We could use the nice writeup somewhere else if not used here.
Suzette: I can try and pick the easy bits out of Sharron's content to see if we can get this in.
Shawn: Or add notes on forms to Keyboard Access and Visible Focus sections.

Next Steps

So, you've spent a little time getting a sense of the accessibility issues that need to be addressed, but what do you do next? How can you flag the problems and solutions, while being sure that the information reaches those who can make the changes happen?

If you have a bug-tracking/helpdesk system, you might use that. Or you might decide it would be more effective to write a report in which you group problems and solutions in terms of people's roles and responsibilities. [@@ JS: maybe link to WAI-Engage, even though it's in progress?]

What works best will depend on your circumstances. Regardless, you'll want to describe the issues clearly. For examples of recommendations we have developed to guide site visitors who experience difficulty accessing a web site, see a section of [Contacting Organizations about Inaccessible Websites http://www.w3.org/WAI/users/inaccessible] called "Describe the Problem." In addition, these Sources for More Information will help your colleagues familiarize themselves with additional information.

When you're ready to conduct a more thorough evaluation,either internally or by hiring a qualified contractor, the [WCAG- Evaluation Methodology Overview] (coming soon) and accompanying documents will help you develop your plans as you continue your efforts to provide a more accessible web for all.

Ian, Suzette, Vicki, Sylvie, Helle, Shawn for working on an early draft at the f2f in Nov.

Sharron for help making all the early drafts and versions less confusing.

Wayne and Ian for sharing colleagues' related work.

Denis for edits to the old page content.

Important Note: For this draft we have some tool-specific guidance. However, there are potential issues with vendor-neutraility and we might need to address this a different way — for example, moving tool-specific guidance to WebPlatform Docs or the WAI-Engage wiki where people can easily add other tools.